Chương 217: Pieces and Aces

"Xiaoying, you shouldn't have come to save me in the first place."

When Ye Zixuan uttered these contradictory and self-denying words in a calm, almost cold tone, the atmosphere in the room instantly froze again.

Su Yuqing and Luo Bingli both looked at her in surprise, completely bewildered as to why Ye Zixuan, who had just been deeply moved by Jiying's comfort, would suddenly say such a thing.

The lonely figure being gazed upon by her felt utterly confused and bewildered.

Why do you say that? Did I do something wrong?

But then, looking into Ye Zixuan's seemingly calm eyes, which were actually churning with pain and self-blame, she instantly understood—the words were not directed at her, but rather—at her.

Ji Ying's heart tightened involuntarily. She could sense that what Ye Zixuan was about to say would carry an extremely heavy weight.

So, she didn't refute or press the matter. Instead, in an extremely gentle tone, without any accusation, she softly asked, "Zixuan—why do you say that? Can you—tell me your thoughts?"'

Ye Zixuan was silent for a moment, as if she was organizing her thoughts or mustering her courage. After a long while, she took a deep breath and slowly opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.

Her voice remained calm, but a slight tremor betrayed the turbulent emotions within: "Xiaoying, your existence—is unique. That quality that allows you to be mistaken for one of our own by the apostles of the Void Realm—is our most important trump card in our fight against Mirror Lord—no, in our fight against the entire Void Realm."

"Its strategic value far exceeds that of me, a so-called Rainbow Light-level Inspector who was utterly defeated in my first encounter with Mirror Lord."

"However, in order to save me, who was at most a pawn, you completely exposed your identity in front of that cunning Mirror Lord. This means that we have lost this important trump card that could have changed the course of the battle."

"From the perspective of the optimal solution," she said, her voice strained, "trading a trump card for a defeated me is—an absolutely unprofitable deal, so you shouldn't have come—"

"Moreover, although there are different factions among the Void Apostles, this group shares the same goal of fighting against the Kingdom and the real world. In order to achieve this goal, they also have information exchange channels with each other that we are not yet aware of."

"The fact that Lord Mirror knows of your special nature, that you are not affected by the oath—this information will likely soon reach a considerable number of Void Realm Apostles, and even—those Void Realm Monarchs—through his channels."

"At that time," she looked at Jiying, her eyes filled with undisguised heartache, "you will inevitably become a thorn in the side of Jingjue and all other forces in the Void Realm."

"What you will face in the future is endless targeting, scheming, and unimaginable danger."

After calmly analyzing these harsh realities, Ye Zixuan's icy defenses, built with reason, finally began to crack.

Her voice began to choke uncontrollably, and her eyes reddened again, brimming with glistening tears: "The thought—the thought that you'll have to face all of this alone because of me—makes me feel like I'd rather just stay in that damned maze and rot away alone!"

"Your safety is more important than anything else. I—I'm simply not worth you taking such a big risk for me!"

By the end, her voice was so weak it was almost inaudible, and her eyes were completely blurred by a thin layer of mist.

I messed up again — Just like in junior high, because of my mistakes and my imperfections, I once again dragged my teammates down.

—Someone like me doesn't deserve to be protected by Xiaoying like this at all— Ji Ying listened quietly to Ye Zixuan's outpouring. The initial confusion in his heart had dissipated, replaced by a complex emotion mixed with heartache and slight anger.

So, that's what you were thinking about?

What trump card, what strategic value—what do these things mean when you might lose your life?!

—It's this kind of thing again—another child like Xiaoli who constantly denies herself because of past traumas— Seeing Ye Zixuan's tearful appearance, as if she were about to collapse again at any moment, she finally couldn't help but get up from the bed and walk up to her under the worried gazes of Su Yuqing and Luo Bingli.

"Thump!"

With a crisp sound, Ji Ying tapped Ye Zixuan's smooth, fair forehead lightly with his knuckles.

Then, in a slightly stern yet infinitely concerned tone, she said loudly, "You—idiot!"

"Huh?!"

Ye Zixuan instinctively covered the spot where she had been hit, and looked up in astonishment and confusion, completely unprepared for Ji Ying's sudden action.

"Idiot?" Was she insulting me? But why did it sound like she wasn't angry at all? Instead, it gave me a strange sense of closeness that made my heart race.

—This seems to be the first time Xiaoying has ever made such a "rude" intimate gesture towards me, right?

Just as Ye Zixuan was still in a daze and hadn't reacted to this sudden action, Ji Ying suddenly opened his arms, pulled her over, and hugged her tightly.

This hug was stronger and more resolute than any before, as if it were an attempt to convey all its emotions and determination to the fool in its arms who was denying himself.

"Listen, Zixuan." Jiying leaned close to her ear and said, each word distinct and unquestionable, "You are not a pawn, and I am not an ace. We are—comrades-in-arms."

"The reason I went to save you wasn't because of any optimal solution, nor for any vague grand strategy. It was simply because my companion was in danger there, so I had to go. That's all."

"And listen to me, everyone makes mistakes, everyone is imperfect. You are not a burden to anyone, and you never need to demand that you do everything perfectly."

"At least with me, you don't have to do anything, and that's good enough."

"So," she said softly at the end, her tone both indulgent and commanding, "you're not allowed to say things like that again, understand?"

Companions—or so you say?

Is it not a burden?

Doing nothing is already good enough?

Ye Zixuan was held blankly in Ji Ying's arms, her mind going completely blank for a moment. As those words began to echo slowly in her mind, a bright smile slowly bloomed on her face.

She stopped crying and instead tightened her arms around Ji Ying, pressing her cheek against his body and taking a deep breath of his comforting scent, quietly enjoying the warm embrace that was uniquely hers.

—Yes, of course Xiaoying would say that, and of course she would do that. ———— Haven't I already experienced this unreasonable care and love before?

Meanwhile, when Su Yuqing saw Ji Ying hug Ye Zixuan tightly and say those protective and doting words, her jealousy surged up again uncontrollably.

She walked angrily to Luo Bingli's side, and under the other's slightly helpless gaze, she once again began a new round of venting her anger by kneading the innocent shadow clone.

"Hmph—I was here first—you idiot, Ah Che, you big idiot—you only know how to be nice to other women—"

"—Love one after another" While kneading her clone's soft, bouncy cheeks, she muttered aggrievedly in a voice only she could hear.

Luo Bingli smiled helplessly at her appearance and did not stop her.

Her complex gaze fell on Ye Zixuan, who was smiling happily in Ji Ying's arms. She subconsciously recalled the overly formal greeting when Ye Zixuan first entered the room, and her unnatural restraint at the dinner table.

—This feeling, I think I understand it a little bit.

So, Zixuan was also a child who didn't believe she could be loved. That unnatural demeanor—could it be that her trauma was also related to "family"?

After enjoying that moment of warmth that belonged only to her, Ye Zixuan, though extremely reluctant, still took the initiative to slowly release Ji Ying, knowing that now was not the time to indulge in personal feelings, and there were more important things to do.

She took a deep breath to calm herself down, then her gaze swept over Luo Bingli and Su Yuqing before finally settling on Ji Ying. In an extremely solemn tone, she said, "Everyone, I have a suggestion regarding our upcoming operation against Jing Jue—I hope that Xiao Ying can take command of our temporary team."

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Su Yuqing paused in her "torture" of the clone, a look of surprise on her face.

She turned around, crossed her arms, and gave a disgruntled "humph," instinctively switching into sarcastic mode: "Back in the abandoned school building, didn't someone take it for granted that they should be in charge? What, now that you can't beat that bastard Jing Jue, you've immediately changed your mind?"

Faced with Su Yuqing's "bringing up old grievances," Ye Zixuan's cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not get angry or try to argue. Instead, she looked directly into Su Yuqing's eyes and explained her reason for making the suggestion: "You're right, Yuqing. I admit that I was too arrogant and presumptuous before. I always thought that I could control the whole situation with my status and experience as an inspector, but the facts have proven that I was wrong."

"Faced with a cunning enemy like Jingjue, I not only failed to protect myself, but also became a hostage who needed to be rescued, and even caused Xiaoying to expose her most important secret. This shows that I am not qualified to lead everyone to defeat Jingjue on my own."

Her gaze shifted to Jiying, her eyes filled with unwavering trust and reliance: "But Xiaoying is different. Whether it was dealing with Jingjue as the Void Realm Apostle Jiying, or later engaging in a fierce battle with him in the Mirror Maze to save me—the calmness, wisdom, and ability to find opportunities in adversity she displayed far surpassed mine."

"More importantly—Xiaoying has a heart that wants to protect everyone more than anyone else. She would risk everything to protect her companions, and she would also bear the pressure alone so that we wouldn't worry. In this respect, I—I am ashamed of myself."

"Therefore, I believe that having her command us to defeat Mirror Lord and avenge our comrades is the most correct and only choice."

After speaking, Ye Zixuan sincerely asked, "Such a suggestion—Yuqing, you wouldn't object, would you?"

After listening to Ye Zixuan's reasonable explanation, Su Yuqing's dissatisfaction and jealousy disappeared without her realizing it.

Of course she knew how outstanding and reliable her Ah Che was.

Now, to have this excellence so solemnly acknowledged and praised by her "love rival" who had initially seemed so arrogant, she was actually filled with pride and secret joy.

But given her personality, it's absolutely impossible for her to directly say something like, "You're right, my Xiaoying is just that great."

So she simply turned her head sharply to one side, avoiding Ye Zixuan's sincere gaze, and said relentlessly, "Hmph—I have no objection. In fact, I'm happy as long as the one in charge isn't you, this arrogant woman who went into the enemy's trap alone and got captured!"

"If you're this reckless again, you might actually unlock some weird defeat cutscene!"

Her words still seemed aggressive, but Ye Zixuan keenly noticed that when she said those words, the other person glanced at her quickly, as if observing her reaction.

So that's how she was reminding me not to make the same mistake again?

Ye Zixuan immediately understood, but didn't call her out on her stubbornness, only giving a faint smile. Ji Ying, on the other hand, stepped forward somewhat helplessly and gently tapped Su Yuqing's forehead.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Ooh—" Su Yuqing let out a cute cry of pain, stuck out her tongue a little embarrassedly, and finally stopped talking.

Ye Zixuan then turned her gaze to Luo Bingli: "Xiao Li, what are your thoughts?"

"I trust Xiaoying's judgment." Luo Bingli nodded gently without hesitation, her voice soft but her tone firm.

After receiving unanimous approval from her two companions, Ye Zixuan smiled happily. She looked at Ji Ying again, waiting for his final reply.

However, Ji Ying, who had become the focus of everyone's attention, showed a somewhat troubled and hesitant expression on his face.

"Um—is it really okay for me to take command?" she asked uncertainly.

"After all, I'm not a magical girl; in essence, I'm even closer to those Void Apostles."

"If I were to command you, the inspector, along with Liuli and Yinxue, wouldn't the kingdom have any objections?"

"Inspectors have a great deal of autonomy when they are on missions abroad," Ye Zixuan replied firmly.

"I believe you can absolutely lead us to defeat Mirror Lord. This is my decision, and the kingdom will approve of it."

She paused, as if to completely dispel Jiying's concerns, and then added in an extremely sincere tone, "If you think it's appropriate, Xiaoying, even if it's just—let Xingshuang take charge of assisting in command, it's fine."

"Although I haven't officially met her yet, I believe that a partner you, Xiaoying, can definitely have extraordinary qualities."

"Huh?!"

Su Yuqing and Luo Bingli both widened their eyes in surprise upon hearing this.

They never expected that Ye Zixuan, who had just had a heated argument with them this afternoon over the title "Xingshuang," would now take the initiative to acknowledge Senior Xingshuang, and even—be willing to accept her "assistance and command"?!

This—the change in attitude before and after is too drastic!

They once again felt the immense weight Ji Ying held in Ye Zixuan's heart, and a thought simultaneously arose in their minds: —Does Xiaoying (Ache) really possess some kind of magic that can completely captivate people?!

Looking into Ye Zixuan's incredibly earnest and trusting eyes, and feeling the expectant gazes of Su Yuqing and Luo Bingli beside him, Jiying knew that he should no longer hesitate.

She also realized that she had the responsibility and obligation to take on this heavy burden and lead these magical girls, who were far from mature but full of courage and determination, to defeat that cunning and powerful enemy.

So she took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

"Okay, I understand."

This action also formally established her undisputed leadership position in this temporary squad that brought together all the combat power of Jiangchuan City.

Seeing that Ji Ying finally agreed, Ye Zixuan's face showed a relieved smile, and Su Yuqing and Luo Bingli also breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiying, who had just taken on the important task of "commander," quickly got into character and began to review all the intelligence he had gathered that day in his mind, trying to find the enemy's weaknesses and our next course of action.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

After a brief silence and thought, Ji Ying raised his head and looked at Ye Zixuan again, slowly calling out, "Zixuan."

"Hmm? What's wrong, Xiaoying?" Ye Zixuan asked curiously.

"Regarding what you said before, my secret—that I am not affected by the oath—will soon be exposed to other Void Realm Apostles through Mirror Lord's channels."

"I have a slightly different opinion."

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